New, Free Function for Almost All Hue Lamps

Philips Hue has introduced MotionAware, a new function that turns lamps into motion sensors. According to Hue, around 95 percent of all Hue lamps (market overview) are compatible with MotionAware, which opens up new possibilities for use in the smart home. For example, you can create an alarm scene around your home if burglars are detected. On this page, you can see which devices are compatible with the new function.

Three Philips Hue smart light bulbs on a light surface.
On the left is a GU10 lamp, an E27 lamp in the middle, and an MR16 lamp on the right. / © nextpit

If you want to use MotionAware, you can do so for free. If you want to combine motion areas with Hue Secure, you will need a subscription. Here, you can choose between the basic subscription for $40 per year or the Plus subscription for $99 per year. You will also need the new Philips Hue Bridge Pro, as the “old” Bridge does not offer the required performance. The Pro Bridge supports more than 150 lamps and 50 accessories. Switching to the new Bridge is as simple as Hue offers a practical migration assistant. This transfers all data to the new Bridge Pro that costs $99 a pop.

A Philips Hue smart lighting hub on a wooden surface.
The new Hue Bridge Pro Smart Lighting Hub from Philips switches from a round plug to USB-C. / © Philips Image source: Philips

This is important to know: To use the new function, Hue recommends using at least three lamps to make detection as reliable as possible. You can also adjust the sensitivity of MotionAware in the settings to prevent false alarms from pets, for instance. It already works in a similar manner with the Hue Motion Sensor.

We mark partner links with this symbol. If you click on one of these links or buttons–or make a purchase through them–we may receive a small commission from the retailer. This doesn’t affect the price you pay, but it helps us keep nextpit free for everyone. Thanks for your support!